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Summary of Content: Supporting Taft, Leonard Wood and William Hunt as Governors of the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico. He believes he is carrying out wishes of McKinley. Written on mourning stationery. Roosevelt requests Hunt’s opinion on several men he is considering for Secretary of Puerto Rico, a position referred to in the letter as the “Secretary of State.” He explains that “in asking you for your opinion I am sure I am doing precisely as the late President intended to do. I wish you would write me with the most absolute freedom as to any appointment that ought or ought not to be made, or as to any other question of policy.” Respecting McKinley’s wishes, Roosevelt followed through with the appointment of Charles Hartzell, a former Colorado state senator who had been offered the post by the late president; he only needed to verify that Hunt did not “know of any objection to it.” Respectful and open-minded, Roosevelt was seeking to promote stability and continuity to the men directly below him, men selected by a strong presidential predecessor.